Self-sealing pass-through plate

ABSTRACT

A plate for passing a member from a first side of the plate through to a second side of the plate. The plate includes a retainer having a first surface on the first side of the plate, and a second surface on the second side of the plate. The retainer has one or more ports formed therethrough, at least a first one of the ports having an inner diametric extent configured to receive the outer periphery of the first member therethrough. A layer of an elastomeric material is provided on the first surface of the retainer across at least the first one of the ports. The layer is formed as having a first imperforate portion closing the first one of the ports, which first imperforate portion is openable for receiving the outer periphery of the first member through the inner diametric extent of the first one of the ports.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED CASES

The present application claims the benefit of the filing date of U.S.Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/365,955; filed Mar. 19, 2002, thedisclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates broadly to manifold and other“pass-through” plates, and more particularly to a such a plate havingone or more ports allowing one or more of hoses, tubing, wiring, controllines, cables, fiber optics, and the like to be pass from a first sideof the plate through to a second side of the plate, on one or both sidesof the plate may be a contained environment.

When lines such hose, tubing, wire, cable, or fiber optics must extendfrom one environment to another, contained environment, or accessotherwise must be provided between the two environments, means must beprovide to seal the contained environment. For example, intransportation or other mobile applications such as for construction oragricultural equipment, hoses, tubing, wiring, and the like may have topass through the firewall or other wall of the vehicle from the exterioror a space such as the passenger compartment, and into another spacesuch as the engine compartment. Heretofore, a plastic or metal plate wasused to seal the opening between the spaces. The plate was formed havinga number of ports, into each of which was fitted a rubber grommet forsealing around the tubing, hose, or wiring pushed through the port. Eachof the grommets typically had to be manually fitted into a correspondingone of the ports in the plate, thereby making for a labor intensiveassembly. Alternatively, a pair of plates were provided, one on eachside of the opening, with the grommets being sandwiched in between theplates.

It is believed that improvements in the construction of manifolds andother passthrough plates for hoses, tubing, wiring, control lines,cables, fiber optics, and the like would find utility in a variety ofmobile applications, and in other applications such as in industrial orcommercial hydraulic, pneumatic, or other fluid power transport orcontrol, or in chemical processing, power generation, food processing,and other operations. A preferred construction would be economical tomanufacture, but also would afford reliable sealing and would beadaptable to seal a variety of different pass-through arrangements.

BROAD STATEMENT OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a manifold or other “pass-through”plates, which may be configured as a panel or cover, and moreparticularly to a such a plate having one or more ports allowing one ormore of hoses, tubing, wiring, control lines, cables, fiber optics, andthe like to be pass from a first side of the plate through to a secondside of the plate, on one or both sides of the plate may be a containedenvironment. The plate includes a retainer, which may be formed ofmetal, plastic, wood, glass, or other material, and which is generallyconfigured to cover or otherwise extend across or substantially acrossan opening between a first environment or other space and a secondenvironment or other space, one of which spaces or environments may besealed or otherwise contained. The retainer has a first and a secondsurface each of which forms or is otherwise on a corresponding one ofthe sides of the plate, and which together define a thickness dimensionof the retainer therebetween. One or more ports are formed therethroughthat thickness dimension for the passage of a member having an outerperiphery, such as a length of tubing, from the space on one side of theplate through to the space on the other side of the plate.

In accordance with the precepts of the present invention, on at leastone of the retainer surfaces is overmolded or otherwise formed a layerof an elastomeric material which extends on such surface across at leastone of the ports in forming an imperforate portion which is removable toopen the port and allow the member to pass therethrough, and,optionally, a seal portion which extends around the port for forming afluid-tight seal between the plate and the member being passed throughthe port which has been opened. Advantageously, the layer of theelastomeric material may extend across multiple ports formed in theretainer so as to allow for various combinations of ports to beselectively open or closed depending upon the requirements of theintended application. Such a construction also is economical ineliminating the necessity of having to provide each of the ports withseparate grommets or other sealing elements. These and other advantagesof certain aspects of certain of the one or more embodiments illustratedherein will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art based uponthe disclosure contained herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the invention,reference should be had to the following detailed description taken inconnection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing one side of a pass-through plateconstructed in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the other side of the plate of FIG.1;

FIG. 3 is a top view of the plate of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a cross-section view of the plate of FIG. 1 taken through line4—4 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a magnified view of a region of FIG. 4;

FIG. 5A is a view as in FIG. 5 showing illustrating the self-sealingfeature of the invention;

FIG. 5B is a view as in FIG. 5B showing an alternative embodiment of theself-sealing feature of the invention;

FIG. 6 is another cross-sectional view of the plate of FIG. 1 takenthrough line 6—6 of FIG. 3; and

FIG. 7 is a magnified view of a region of FIG. 6.

The drawings will be described further in connection with the followingDetailed Description of the Invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Certain terminology may be employed in the description to follow forconvenience rather than for any limiting purpose. For example, the terms“forward,” “rearward,” “right,” “left,” “upper,” and “lower” designatedirections in the drawings to which reference is made, with the terms“inward,” “interior,” “inner,” or “inboard” and “outward,” “exterior,”“outer,” or “outboard” referring, respectively, to directions toward andaway from the center of the referenced element, and the terms “radial”or “horizontal” and “axial” or “vertical” referring, respectively, todirections, axes, planes perpendicular and parallel to the centrallongitudinal axis of the referenced element. Terminology of similarimport other than the words specifically mentioned above likewise is tobe considered as being used for purposes of convenience rather than inany limiting sense.

In the figures, elements having an alphanumeric designation may bereferenced herein collectively or in the alternative, as will beapparent from context, by the numeric portion of the designation only.Further, the constituent parts of various elements in the figures may bedesignated with separate reference numerals which shall be understood torefer to that constituent part of the element and not the element as awhole. General references, along with references to spaces, surfaces,dimensions, and extents, may be designated with arrows.

For the illustrative purposes of the discourse to follow, the preceptsof the passthrough plate of the present invention are described inconjunction with its adaptation for an use a manifold plate such as toreceive tubing, hoses, cables, and wiring through the firewall of atractor/trailer rig or other vehicle. In view of the discourse tofollow, however, it will be appreciated that aspects of the presentinvention may find utility in variety of transportation, industrial,commercial, and other applications such as a manifold plate forhydraulic, pneumatic, or other fluid power or control lines, or forwires, sensors, cartridges, or other componentry within electricalcontrol panels such as for explosion or fire proof or cabinets or otherenclosures. Use within those such other applications therefore should beconsidered to be expressly within the scope of the invention hereininvolved.

Referring then to the figures wherein corresponding reference charactersare used to designate corresponding elements throughout the severalviews with equivalent elements being referenced with prime or sequentialalphanumeric designations, a representative pass-through plate accordingto the present invention is shown generally at 10 in the perspectiveviews of FIGS. 1 and 2, and in the top view of FIG. 3, for passing oneor members (see FIGS. 8–9) which may be, for example, one or more, or acombination of, hoses, tubing, wiring, control lines, cables, fiberoptics, sensors, probes, sampling devices, or other members, devices, orcomponents from a first side, 12, of the plate 10 through to a secondside, 14, of the plate 10. In basic construction, plate 10 includes aretainer, 16, having a first surface, 18, on the plate first side 12,and a second surface, 20, on the plate second side 14, each of whichsurfaces 18 and 20 may be generally planar as shown or, alternatively,concave, convex, complex curved, or other shape or profile, and agenerally conformal layer, 30, of an elastomeric material extends on atleast one of the surfaces 18 and 20, such as the surface 18 as shown. Asmay be seen best with momentary reference to the cross-sectional viewsof FIGS. 6–7, depending upon the material of construction of retainer16, which may be metal, plastic, or other, the surface 18 receiving thelayer 30 may be molded, machined, or otherwise formed as having a recessor cavity, referenced at 31 in FIGS. 6 and 7, within which the layer 30may be contained.

Metal materials which may be suitable for the construction of retainer16, which generally will be more rigid than the elastomeric layer 30,include aluminum, steel, stainless steel, magnesium, copper, brass,titanium, nickel, and alloys thereof, but as may be selectedspecifically for reasons of cost, weight, corrosion or temperatureresistance, strength, and other chemical, physical, mechanical, orelectrical properties. For reasons of cost and ease of manufacture, aplastic material, however, may be preferred. Suitable plastics mayinclude thermoplastics and other injection moldable polymeric materialssuch as a poly(ether ether ketones), polyimides, polyamides, nylons,fluoropolymers, polyolefins such as high molecular weight polyethylenesand polypropylenes, polyurethanes, polyetherimides, polybutyleneterephthalates, polystyrenes, acrylics, vinyls such as polyvinylchloride and polyvinyl acetate, fluoropolymers, polysulfones,thermoplastic polyesters, polycarbonates,acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene, polyphenylene ethers and oxides, acetalhomo or copolymers, liquid crystal polymers, and copolymers and blendsthereof, but also may include thermosetting resins such as thermosettingpolyesters and polyurethanes. Depending upon its material ofconstruction, retainer 16 my be stamped, machined, cast, injection,compression, or otherwise molded, or otherwise formed.

Elastomeric materials which may be suitable for layer 30, but as againwhich may be selected specifically for reasons of cost, weight,corrosion or temperature resistance, strength, and other chemical,physical, mechanical, or electrical properties, or for compatibilitywith the material of the retainer 16, include natural rubbers such asHevea, as well as thermoplastic, i.e., melt-processible, orthermosetting, i.e., vulcanizable, synthetic rubbers such asfluoropolymers, chlorosulfonate, polybutadiene, polybutadiene, buna-N,butyl, neoprene, nitrile, polyisoprene, silicone, fluorosilicone,copolymer rubbers such as ethylene-propylene (EPR),ethylene-propylene-diene monomer (EPDM), nitrile-butadiene (NBR) andstyrene-butadiene (SBR), or blends such as ethylene or propylene-EPDM,EPR, or NBR. The term “synthetic rubbers” also should be understood toencompass materials which alternatively may be classified broadly asthermoplastic or thermosetting elastomers such as polyurethanes,silicones, fluorosilicones, styrene-isoprene-styrene (SIS), andstyrene-butadiene-styrene (SBS), as well as other polymers which exhibitrubber-like properties such as plasticized nylons, polyesters, ethylenevinyl acetates, and polyvinyl chlorides. As used herein, the term“elastomeric” is ascribed its conventional meaning of exhibitingrubber-like properties of compliancy, resiliency or compressiondeflection, low compression set, flexibility, and an ability to recoverafter deformation.

Layer 30 may be molded or overmolded by injection, which may bevacuum-assisted, 2-shot, insert, and/or rotational, compression, orinjection-compression molding directly onto the retainer surface 18.Alternatively, layer 30 may be first molded, thermoformed, cast,stamped, or otherwise formed and then attached to the retainer in aseparate operation. Whether overmolded on or otherwise formed andattached to retainer 16, layer 30 may be retained thereon to form anintegral structure of the plate 10 by chemical, adhesive, fusion, orother such forces, or by an interfering mechanical engagement such as inthe manner to be described hereinafter. To assist in the bonding of thelayer 30 to the retainer 16, such as in the case of otherwise chemicallyincompatible materials, the retainer surface 18 may be primed with asiloxane, silane, or other bonding agent, or one or both of thematerials forming the retainer and layer may be formulated with amodifier or other adhesion or bonding promoting additive. A separateadhesive layer or a compatibilizing “tie” layer, such as formed of amaterial compatible with both the materials of the layer 30 and retainer16, also may be used between the layer 30 and retainer surface 18. In anovermolded construction, the primed or unprimed retainer 16 may beplaced into a heat or unheated molded cavity for the injection,compression, or transfer molding of an curable rubber or otherelastomeric material forming the layer 30. The layer 30 thereby may beformed and cured-in-place as vulcanized directly onto retainer 16. By“cured,” the material may polymerized, cross-linked, furthercross-linked or polymerized, vulcanized, cooled, hardened, dried, orotherwise chemically or physically changed from a liquid, semi-liquid,or other fluent form into a solid or semi-solid elastomeric or polymericphase.

Retainer 16 as an outer perimeter, referenced at 32, which is shown tobe generally rectangular but which alternatively may be of any regulargeometric shape such as other polygonal, round, elliptical, or oval, orof any special or irregular shape. For most applications, the retainerouter periphery 32 will be configured to be received in or, typically,over an opening in a wall (not shown) between a first and second space,such as an opening in a vehicular firewall between the passenger andengine compartments or in a cabinet for electrical or electronicequipment or controls. On one or both sides of the wall may be anenvironment which typically must be sealed or otherwise containedrelative to the other environment. In this regard, in the illustrativeembodiment of plate 10 and as may be seen best in the view of FIG. 1,the first side 12 thereof may be formed as having a generally upstandingflange, 34, which extends along the outer periphery 32, and as havingone or more holes, one of which is referenced at 36, configured toreceive a bolt, screw, or other fastener (not shown) therethrough forthe mounting of the plate 10 to the wall. As may be seen best in theview of FIG. 2, the plate second side 14 may be generally planar orotherwise configured to be mountable over the opening, but as may alsoinclude one or more hooks or clips, such as the pair referenced at 38a–b, for an interlocking or other interfering engagement with acorresponding edge of the opening or with a separate aperture which maybe formed within the wall, as well as one or more alignment or guidepins, one of which is referenced at 39. The clips 38 may be used inaddition or as an alternative to the fasteners for the mounting of theplate, which in general may be mounted using a variety of mechanicalfasteners or interference-type arrangements.

For effecting a face or other seal between the plate 10 and the opening,the retainer second surface 20 may be formed as having one or moregrooves, one of which is referenced at 40, which may extend generallyalong the plate outer perimeter 32 as disposed inwardly thereof, and ashaving a generally closed geometry which may be configured to surroundthe opening. A seal element, 42, which may be of the same or differentelastomeric material as layer 30, may be formed or otherwise mountedwithin the groove 40 as a single or double hemispherical bead or, asshown, a generally triangular or V-shaped profile (see FIG. 7), or otherprofile or shape so as to define a bearing surface which extends out ofthe groove 40 beyond the retainer surface 20 so as to be compressibleagainst the wall for forming a fluid-tight seal between the wall and theplate 10. Depending upon the material of construction of retainer 16,the groove 40 may be molded, machined, stamped, or otherwise formedtherein the surface 20, with the seal element 42 being molded orotherwise formed-in-place therein or, alternatively, as molded orotherwise formed and adhesively bonded, interference fit, or otherwisemounted within groove 40 in separate operations. Preferably, the sealelement 42 may be formed together with the elastomeric layer 30, and ofthe same elastomeric material as layer 30, in a single moldingoperation.

Depending upon the application, the seal element 42 may be used toeffect a hermetic seal which may be especially useful in petrochemicaland other applications to control the fugitive emission of VOC's andother pollutants. In basic construction, gaskets of the type hereininvolved are formed of a relatively compressible, annular seal memberhaving a central aperture configured for registration with thecorresponding margins of a pair of mating surfaces. Molded-in-place andretainer-mounted seals are also shown, for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos.3,195,906; 3,215,442; 3,259,404; 3,578,346; 3,635,480; 3,720,420;3,746,348; 4,026,565, and 4,625,978, and are marketed commercially bythe O-Seal Division of Parker-Hannifin Corporation, San Diego, Calif.,under the tradenames “Gask-O-Seal” and “Integral Seal.”

With reference now to FIG. 3, and looking additionally to thecross-sectional view of FIG. 4 and to the detail referenced at 50thereof shown in enhanced detail in FIG. 5, it may be seen that theretainer first and second surfaces 18 and 20 together define a thicknessdimension, referenced at “t” in FIGS. 4–5 of the retainer 16therebetween. At least one and, typically, two or more or a multiplicityof ports, one of which is referenced at 52 in FIG. 3, and others ofwhich are referenced at 52 a-b in FIGS. 3–5 and at 52 c in FIG. 3, areformed through the thickness dimension t. As may be seen best in the topview of FIG. 3, each of the ports 52 may be of the different or sameinner diametric extent, commonly referenced at “d” in the several viewsshown in the figures, which may be configured to receive the outerperiphery of one or more of the same or different members therethrough.For example, the ports 52 having the same diameter may each receive oneof the same tubing member therethrough, or one such tubing member may beinserted through a select one of the ports 52 such as for admitting thetubing to a select location through the plate 10. Likewise, the ports 52having different diameters may receive different members therethrough.Although each of the ports 52 are shown to have the same generallycircular geometry, the ports 52 may be formed of the same or differentgeometries which may be of another regular shape such as polygonal,oval, or elliptical, or of an irregular shape having extents which maybe commonly referred to “diametric.”

With reference now particularly to the magnified cross-sectional view ofFIG. 5, and as shown for the port 52 b, ports 52 may be formed as havingan inner surface, 54, extending circumferentially around the diametricextent d, and further may be formed with a surrounding groove, commonlyreferenced at 56, extending thereinto from one or both of the retainersurfaces 18 and 20. The grooves 56, which may be half or full, may be ofany cross-sectional profile such as U- or L-shape, dovetail, conical,polygonal, or like, also may include additional walls such as thatreferenced at 58.

Referring now again to the perspective view of FIG. 1, and withadditional reference to the top view of FIG. 3 and the cross-sectionalviews of FIGS. 4–5, in the illustrative embodiment of plate 10,elastomeric layer 30 may be seen to be relatively thin, at least ascompared to the retainer thickness t, and to cover substantially theentirety of the surface 18 in extending across each of the ports 52. Itshould be appreciated, however, that layer 30 may be provided to extendover only a portion of the surface 18, and across one or any number ofthe ports 52. As extending across the ports 52, layer 30 is formed ashaving one or more imperforate portions, commonly referenced at 60, eachof which functions to close a corresponding one of the ports 52. For thepurposes, however, of passing one or more members from the plate firstside 12 to the plate second side 14, or vice versa, at least one or eachof the imperforate portions 60 is made to be openable for receiving theouter periphery of the member through the inner diametric extent of theassociated port 52.

In this regard, and with reference now to the port embodiments 52 a–band particularly to the magnified view of FIG. 5, in forming theimperforate portion 60 across the ports 52 a–b, layer 30 may be providedto extend at least partially into the ports 52 such as along the innersurface 54 thereof, and also may substantially fill one or, as shown,both of the grooves 56. It will be appreciated that the filling of thegrooves 56 by the layer 30, along with the thus embedded walls 58,assists in the development of an interfering mechanical engagementbetween the layer 30 and retainer 16 and, such as in the case of afusion, chemical, or adhesive bonded layer 30, increased surface areaattachment. Such engagement and/or attachment advantageously assists inthe resisting of shear, tensile, or other forces or loads which may havethe tendency to cause the delamination or other separation of the layer30 from the retainer surface 18.

Within the thickness dimension t of the ports 52 a–b, imperforateportion 60 extends across the diametric extent d of the port innersurface 54. For the portion 60 to be removable or otherwise openable forthe opening of the corresponding one of the ports 52 a–b, layer 30 maybe formed as having a score, 70, which may be provided as a continuousor interrupted, generally annular cut or section made or formedpartially into the thickness of the layer 30 or, as shown, a localizedthinning of the thickness of the material of the layer 30, such that theportion 60 is openable by separation of the layer 30 along the score 70.In the case of a score 70 which partially surrounds the portion 60, suchportion may remain attached to the layer such as in the form of a flap.Alternatively, in the case of a score 70 which substantially completelysurrounds the portion 60, such portion may “pop-out” or otherwise fullydetach from the layer 30. The score may be separated by the thrusting ofthe member itself through the port 52 or, alternatively, using a tool orother means.

Score 70 is shown in FIG. 5 to extend within the diametric extent d ofthe ports 52. Alternatively, and as is shown in FIG. 5 at 70′, score 70may be formed to extend outside of the diametric d or, as is shown at70″, generally coterminously therewith. With walls 58 removed, such asshown in phantom at 58′, and with scores 70′ or 70″ being provided, theportions of the layer 30 on the inner surface 54 and within the grooves56 also may be made to detach with the imperforate portion 60, such asin the form of the plug which is referenced in phantom at 72.

As is shown at 74, the layer 30 which surrounds the score 70 may be ofan increased thickness and/or profiled, or otherwise formed or providedas a seal portion which extends around a corresponding one of the ports52 a–b, such as within the diametric extent d thereof. With referencenow momentary to FIG. 5A, it may be seen that, with the imperforateportion 60 having been separated along the score 70, such as by thethrusting therethrough the port 52 b of a tube or other member,referenced at 80, seal portion 74 may be made to remain to formafluid-tight perimeter seal about the outer periphery, referenced at 82,of the member 80. In this regard, the plate 10 of the inventionadvantageously may be made to be self-sealing.

Returning to FIG. 5, imperforate portion 60 alternatively may be openedby the provision of a membrane portion, referenced at 90, which may becentrally or otherwise formed within the portion 60 as a circular orother shape localized region of thinned material thickness. As may beseen with reference now momentarily to FIG. 5B, with the membraneportion 90 having been penetrated, such as again by the thrustingtherethrough the port 52 b of tube 80, a fluid-tight perimeter seal maybe developed around the tube periphery 82 by the edge, 92, of theopening formed in the imperforate portion 60 though the membrane portion90 which may remain attached to, or be detached from, the remainder ofthe portion 60. Again, in this way, the plate 10 of the inventionadvantageously may be made to be self-sealing.

Considering lastly the port embodiment 52 c, reference now may be had tothe cross-sectional views of FIG. 6, and particularly to the detailreferenced at 100 which is shown in enhanced detail in FIG. 7, whereinlayer 30 may be seen to similarly extend across the ports 52 c informing the imperforate portion 60 over the inner diametric extent dthereof for the closing of the port. As before, for the portion 60 to beremovable or otherwise openable for the opening of the corresponding oneof the ports 52 c, layer 30 may be formed as having a score 70, nowreferenced at 70 a, which again may be provided as a continuous orinterrupted, generally annular cut or section made or formed partiallyinto the thickness of the layer 30 or, as shown, a generally V-shaped orother localized thinning of the thickness of the material of the layer30, such that the portion 60 is openable by separation of the layer 30along the score 70 a. In the case of a score 70 a which partiallysurrounds the portion 60, such portion may remain attached to the layersuch as in the form of a flap. Alternatively, in the case of a score 70a which substantially completely surrounds the portion 60, such portionmay “pop-out” or otherwise fully detach from the layer 30. The score maybe separated by the thrusting of the member itself through the port 52in the manner described in connection with FIGS. 5A and 5B, or,alternatively, manually torn away such as by using an integral pull tab,102, which may be molded or otherwise formed within the layer 30.

Score 70 a is shown in FIG. 7 to extend substantially coterminouslywithin the diametric extent d of the ports 52. Alternatively, and as isshown in FIG. 7 at 70 b and 70 c, score 70 may be formed to extendinside (70 b) or outside (70 c) of the diametric d. In this regard, andas was described hereinbefore in connection with ports 52 a–b, a sealportion may be defined around the port 52 c either coterminously with(score 70 a) or inside (score 70 b) or outside (score 70 c) of thediametric extent d thereof. As before, such seal portion, such as in thecase of an inner seal portion, may be used to form a perimeter sealabout the outer periphery of the member being received therethrough theport 52 c. Alternatively, such as in the case of an outer or coterminousseal portion, such seal portion may be used to provide a face seal, suchas for a flange, washer, or other part of the member.

Thus, a pass-through plate construction in accordance with the presentinvention is described which eliminates the necessity for hand labor inits manufacture, or otherwise the need for secondary assemblyoperations. The over-molded design thereof also is robust and reliablein allowing for a chemical, fusion, adhesive, and/or mechanical bondbetween the layer 30 and the retainer 16. Moreover, in utilizing theself-sealing feature of the invention, the contact area between the sealportion and the member received through the port may be minimized toreduce friction and drag on the outer periphery of the member and toafford correspondingly easier insertion of the member through the plate.The construction of the invention also eliminates the need for largeflange areas, such as may be required between a grommet or other insertand the port, and thereby allows for more ports to be provided within agiven plate area. Additionally, such grommets typically areunidirectional, while the construction of the present invention offersincreased flexibility and design options in allowing for the members tobe inserted through either side of the plate.

As it is anticipated that certain changes may be made in the presentinvention without departing from the precepts herein involved, it isintended that all matter contained in the foregoing description shall beinterpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. All referencesincluding any priority documents cited herein are expressly incorporatedby reference.

1. A plate for passing at least a first member from a first side of theplate through to a second side of the plate, the member having an outerperiphery and said plate comprising: a retainer having a first surfaceon the first side of the plate, and a second surface on the second sideof the plate, the retainer first and second surface defining a thicknessdimension of the retainer therebetween, and the retainer having one ormore ports formed through the thickness dimension thereof, at least afirst one of the ports having an inner diametric extent configured toreceive the outer periphery of the first member therethrough, and theretainer having an outer perimeter configure to be received over anopening in a wall between a first space and a second space, the secondside of the plate being mountable over the opening; a layer of anelastomeric material extending on the first surface of the retaineracross at least a first and a second one of the ports, the layer beingformed as having a first imperforate portion closing the first one ofthe ports which first imperforate portion is operable for receiving theouter periphery of the first member through the inner diametric extentof the first one of the ports, and the layer being further formed ashaving a second imperforate portion closing the second one of the ports;and a seal disposed on the second side of the plate opposite the layerof elastomeric material, the seal being configured as having a generallyclosed geometry configured to surround the opening and beingcompressible between the plate and the wall for forming a fluid-tightseal between the plate and the opening.
 2. The plate of claim 1 whereinthe layer is further formed as having a seal portion which extendsaround the first one of the ports for the fluid-tight sealing thereofafter the imperforate portion has been opened.
 3. The plate of claim 2wherein the seal portion extends around the first one of the portswithin the inner diametric extent thereof for scaling around the outerperiphery of the first member as the first member is received throughthe first one of the ports.
 4. The plate of claim 2 wherein the sealportion extends around the first one of the ports outside of the innerdiametric extent thereof.
 5. The plate of claim 1 wherein: the secondone of the ports as an inner diametric extent configured to receive theouter periphery of the first member therethrough; and the secondimperforate portion is openable for receiving the outer periphery of thefirst member through the inner diametric extent of second one of theports.
 6. The plate of claim 1 wherein: the second one of the ports hasan inner diametric extent configured to receive the outer periphery of asecond member the same or different from the first member therethrough;and the second imperforate portion is openable for receiving the outerperiphery of the second member through the inner diametric tent ofsecond one of the ports.
 7. The plate of claim 1 wherein the layerextends on substantially the entirety of the first surface of theretainer.
 8. The plate of claim 1 wherein the layer is formed as havinga score extending around at least a portion of the first imperforateportion, the first imperforate portion being openable by separating thelayer along the score.
 9. The plate of claim 8 wherein the score extendsaround at least a portion of the first imperforate portion within theinner diametric extent of the first one of the ports.
 10. The plate ofclaim 1 wherein the layer is further formed as having a membrane portionwithin the first imperforate portion, the first imperforate portionbeing openable by penetration of the membrane portion by he firstmember.
 11. The plate of claim 10 wherein the first imperforate portionseals around the out periphery of the first member upon the penetrationof the membrane portion by the first.
 12. A plate for passing at least afirst member from a first side of the plate through to a second side ofthe plate, the member having an outer periphery and said platecomprising: a retainer having a first surface on the first side of theplate, and a second surface on the second side of the plate, the retainfirst and second surface defining a thickness dimension of the retainertherebetween, and the retainer having one or more ports formed throughthe thickness dimension thereof, at least a first one of the portshaving an inner diametric extent configured to receive the outerperiphery of the first member therethrough, and the retainer having anouter perimeter configure to be received over an opening in a wallbetween a first space and a second space, the second side of the platebeing mountable over the opening; a layer of an elastomeric materialextending on the first surface of the retainer across at least the firstone of the ports, the layer being formed as having a first imperforateportion closing the first one of the ports which first imperforateportion is openable for receiving the outer periphery of the firstmember through the inner diametric extent of the first one of the ports,and the layer being further formed as having a score extending around atleast a portion of the first imperforate portion outside of the innerdiametric extent of the first one of the ports, the first imperforateportion being openable by separating the layer along the score; and aseal disposed on the second side of the plate opposite the layer ofelastomeric material, the seal being configured as having a generallyclosed geometry configured to surround the opening and beingcompressible be between the plate and the wall for forming a fluid-tightseal between the plate and the opening.
 13. A plate for passing at leasta first member from a first side of the plate through to a second sideof the plate, the member having an outer periphery and said platecomprising: a retainer having a first surface on the first side of theplate, and a second surface on the second side of the plate, theretainer first and second surface defining a thickness dimension of theretainer therebetween, and the retainer having one or more ports formedthrough the thickness dimension thereof, at least a first one of theports having an inner diametric extent configured to receive the outerperiphery of the first member therethrough, and the retainer having anouter perimeter configure to be received over an opening in a wallbetween a first space and a second space, the second side of the platebeing mountable over the opening; a layer of an elastomeric materialextending on the first surface of the retainer across at least the firstone of the ports, the layer being formed as having a first imperforateportion closing the first one of the ports with first imperforateportion is openable for receiving the outer periphery of the firstmember through the inner diametric extent of the first one of the ports,and the layer being further formed as having a score extending around atleast a portion of the first imperforate portion generally coterminouslywith the inner diametric, extent of the first one of the ports, thefirst imperforate portion being openable by separating the layer alongthe score; and a seal disposed on the second side of the plate oppositethe layer of elastomeric material, the seal being configured as having agenerally closed geometry configured to surround the opening and beingcompressible between the plate and the wall for forming a fluid-tightseal between the plate and the opening.
 14. A plate for passing at leasta first member from a first side of the plate through to a second sideof the plate, the member having an outer periphery and said platecomprising: a retainer having a first surface on the first side of theplate, and a second surface on the second side of the plate, theretained first and second surface defining a thickness dimension of theretainer therebetween, and the retainer having one or more ports formedthrough the thickness dimension thereof, at least a first one of theports having an inner diametric extent configured to receive the outerperiphery of the first member therethrough and being formed as having aninner surface extending around the inner diametric extent thereof, andthe retainer having an outer perimeter configure to be received over anopening in a wall between a first space and a second space, the secondside of the plate being mountable over the opening; a layer of anelastomeric material extending on the first surface of the retaineracross at least the first one of the ports, the layer being formed ashaving a first imperforate portion closing the first one of the portswhich first imperforate portion is openable for receiving the outerperiphery of the first member through the inner diametric extent of thefirst one of the ports, the layer extending at least partially into thefirst one of the ports on the inner surface thereof, and the firstimperforate portion extending within the first one of time ports acrossthe inner surface thereof; and a seal disposed on the second side of theplate opposite the layer of elastomeric material, the seal beingconfigured as having a generally closed geometry configured to surroundthe opening and being compressible between the plate and the wall forforming a fluid-tight seal between the plate and the opening.
 15. Theplate of claim 14 wherein the layer is formed as having a scoreextending around at least a portion of the first imperforate portionwithin the inner diametric extent of the first one of the ports, thefirst imperforate portion being openable by separating the layer alongthe score.
 16. The plate of claim 15 wherein the layer is further formedas having a generally annular seal portion which extends around theinner surface of the first one of the fluid ports outside of the scorefor sealing around the outer periphery of the first member as the firstmember is received through the first one of the ports.
 17. The plate ofclaim 14 wherein the first surface of the retainer is formed as having afirst groove extending into the first fluid port about the inner surfacethereof, the layer substantially filling the first groove tomechanically bond the layer to the first surface.
 18. The plate of claim14 wherein at least the second surface of the retainer is formed ashaving a second groove extending into the first fluid port about theinner surface thereof, the layer substantially, filling the secondgroove to mechanically bond the layer to the second surface.
 19. Thelate of claim 14 wherein the layer is formed as having a score extendingaround at least a portion of the first imperforate portion outside ofthe inner diametric extent of the first one of he ports, the firstimperforate portion being openable by separating the layer along thescore.
 20. The late of claim 14 wherein the layer is formed as having ascore extending around at least a portion of the first imperforateportion generally coterminously with the inner diametric extent of thefirst one of the ports, the first imperforate portion being openable byseparating the layer along the score.